Mental health and art

It is hard enough trying to acknowledge to yourself that you are struggling, that you think you may need help- and that's with being able to experience your own feelings and try to make sense of them. Explaining them, getting them out in a way that makes sense and articulates what you're feeling to someone else, is even harder. Armed with a dictionary, there are still never going to be enough words to convey the nuances of what you're feeling sometimes- so many turn to art.

Art is an easy way to convey feelings because whilst people may not have time for a conversation, they have 10 seconds to look at a comic. You don't have to leave the house or see anyone face to face to show how you're doing. There is more humanity, more chances to relate to a picture than to words that can be very exacting and not open to interpretation.

It's a way to express yourself without ever having to say anything to anyone. It can be anything you want in any form you like, whether that's paint or pencil or sculpture or food. Many turn to dance or music. Art in general is about interpretation- so you can convey everything you want in the way that you want. You don't have to worry about offending people, or worrying people, or anything like that- it's entirely for you. It's a really good way to work through what you're thinking about and to stimulate your mind into thinking deeper around it, but safely. You don't have to find the words, nothing has to be exact.

It doesn't even need to be any kind of problem that leads you to art. Many feel that art allows them to express any feelings they may have whether these are positive or negative. Art is a way to communicate without having to be constrained by words.

Some of the blogs that Nightline likes to help explain mental health include:

Ruby Etc - Ruby has often created the cartoons for both Mind, the mental health charity, and Buzzfeed Mental Health week. She can be found on both tumblr and twitter.

Beth Evans Art

Toby Allen 

Robot Hugs

As ever, if you'd like to talk about any issues you may have, please phone Nightline and chat it through with us :)

LOVE KATIE.